In this series, we seek to foster knowledge exchange among scientific experts, development organisations, civil society organisations and investors working at the intersection of climate and technology. Our aim is to catalyse action and drive investments that align AI innovation trajectories with climate justice in the region.
A 10-part series featuring conversations with climate tech innovators, thought leaders, and policy experts, designed to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue and identify emerging opportunities.
Asia, with its vast and varied environments, faces some of the most pressing climate challenges globally. The region is the most disaster-prone in the world, enduring record-breaking heat waves in recent years, and is home to many of the fastest-sinking cities.
Innovative digital technologies, including AI, are expected to play a pivotal role in rapidly scaling climate solutions. While many Asia-Pacific countries have already integrated the innovation and deployment of climate technologies into their climate change strategies, the landscape is marked by disparities and gaps across key indicators.
Decisive action is needed to facilitate a just transition towards climate-resilient economies and societies in Asia. In 2023, Digital Futures Lab assembled a network of experts to explore AI's role in climate action in Asia, examining opportunities, challenges, and risks across agriculture, energy, and disaster response sectors. This Research revealed critical gaps in the current climate tech and AI ecosystem, including:
Increased funding in climate tech and AI is needed, including for the development of comprehensive data sets, robust evaluation metrics, and capacity building.
Research and practice communities often operate in silos, with limited engagement between investors, climate scientists, and civil society organisations. Lack of engagement with ground-level communities risks the marginalisation of groups already vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
There is limited interdisciplinary understanding of climate challenges and the technological interventions needed to address them.
Current approaches to problem diagnosis and solution design are often top-down and lack contextual relevance to the lived experiences of key stakeholders.
To help bridge these gaps, we will engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including scholars, technologists, and investors. Our efforts will centre on sparking conversations at the intersection of energy, agriculture, and green manufacturing.
Facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue among key stakeholders, focusing on the long-term implications of current climate-tech decisions.
Increase awareness amongst stakeholders about the implications of the climate crisis, the potential of climate technologies, and the challenges and risks that must be addressed.
Develop and disseminate knowledge products to encourage responsible climate-tech investments across the region.
Facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue among key stakeholders, focusing on the long-term implications of current climate-tech decisions.
Increase awareness amongst stakeholders about the implications of the climate crisis, the potential of climate technologies, and the challenges and risks that must be addressed.
Develop and disseminate knowledge products to encourage responsible climate-tech investments across the region.
is an interdisciplinary research and advisory firm studying the complex interactions between technology and society. Through evidence-based research, foresight, and public engagement, we work to develop pathways toward equitable, safe, and sustainable futures.